On Mothering Sunday, Alvechurch Community Choir celebrated their first birthday by singing with the New Orleans singing legend, Lillian Boutté, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Webheath.

Lillian was the inspiration who launched the choir in March last year. The choir is affiliated to the Everybody Let’s Sing project, which works with local schools and professional musicians (like Lillian and her band) to promote participation in music.

The concert was partly a fund-raiser for Everybody Let’s Sing, partly a thank-you from the choir to Lillian, and mostly a good evening out for mums and others! The choir sang a range of songs, from rock and roll to gospel to folk, and Lillian performed some of her wonderful repertoire, getting the audience singing along with her.

The Withybed Poets, who often perform with the choir, read a couple of poems, and the evening ended with some electrifying singing by everyone. Nearly £1,000 was raised.

The choir now has some 80 members, ranging from teens to pensioners, and newcomers are always welcome. During the year, they have performed in a wide range of places, from Worcester and Birmingham Cathedrals to pubs, schools, and local church and village halls. The philosophy behind the choir is that everyone can sing – and it works!

Mike Genders, who leads the choir, said “It was such a delight to see how far they have come in a year. To hear them singing so enthusiastically with Lillian again, to such an appreciative audience, made all their work worthwhile.”

The choir meets meet weekly during term-time at Alvechurch Middle School, every fourth week moving to The Crown at Withybed Green for a singalong. Check out www.lets-sing.co.uk for dates and venues.

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